SIH-1B history This employer has filed H-1B petitions with the U.S. Department of Labor in the past. That is a record of prior filings, not a statement about this role. Whether any given position is eligible for sponsorship is decided by the employer, case by case. Confirm before you apply.
Plastics Engineer
Sigma International · Livonia, MItodayverified 1 h ago
$65k – $75kfrom the posting
BS-level Product Development roles on Crosslinked list a median of $118k (224 that show pay).
Design and troubleshoot injection-molded automotive plastic components from concept through production.
Thermoplastics · Product Development roles, by email
Apply Worth knowing
Why it is interesting. Hands-on ownership of plastic part design, tooling, and mold trials for automotive programs.
Might not be for you. Requires 5+ years automotive plastics experience; focused on production support rather than R&D.
Generalist BS acceptableSenior hires only
Core polymer roleApply DFM principles to injection-molded plastic components; knowledge of plastic injection molding processes, tooling, plastic materials
- Seniority
- Mid-level
- Work
- On-site
- Type
- Full-time
- Degree
- BS
- Experience
- 5+ yrs
- Industry
- Automotive
- Role
- Product Development
Materials
Techniques
Role details
Key Responsibilities
Product Engineering & 3D Design
- Review product designs for functionality, manufacturability, dimensional accuracy, and cost.
- Apply Design for Manufacturability (DFM) principles to injection-molded plastic components.
- Review dimensional tolerances, GD&T, material specifications, and engineering requirements.
- Maintain accurate CAD models, drawings, BOMs, and technical documentation.
Plastic Injection Molding & Tooling
- Evaluate plastic component designs for injection molding feasibility.
- Collaborate with tooling suppliers to review mold designs and resolve technical issues.
- Support mold trials, tooling modifications, and engineering validation.
- Troubleshoot plastic component issues, including warpage, sink marks, dimensional variation, and cosmetic defects.
- Assist with plastic material selection, product optimization, and manufacturing improvements.
- Support tooling development and production readiness for new and existing products.
Daily Engineering & Manufacturing Support
- Respond to daily engineering requests from manufacturing, quality, suppliers, and customers.
- Investigate and resolve product design, dimensional, tooling, and assembly issues.
- Support prototype builds, testing, and engineering validation.
- Design or modify checking fixtures, prototype tooling, and simple assembly stations.
- Support existing production programs through technical problem-solving and continuous improvement.
- Participate in root cause analysis and corrective actions.
Automotive Program Support
- Support RFQ activities, technical feasibility assessments, and engineering cost evaluations.
- Complete engineering deliverables in accordance with customer requirements and program deadlines.
- Support APQP, PPAP, design validation, and production launch activities.
- Collaborate with program management, quality, purchasing, and manufacturing teams to resolve technical challenges.
- Maintain engineering documentation throughout the product lifecycle.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Plastics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Polymer Engineering, or a related technical field.
- 5+ years of hands-on engineering experience in automotive plastic product design, development, or injection-molded components.
- Strong proficiency in at least one professional 3D CAD platform: Siemens NX, CATIA, or SolidWorks.
- Experience creating and modifying 3D models, assemblies, and 2D engineering drawings.
- Strong knowledge of plastic injection molding processes, tooling, plastic materials, and manufacturing methods.
- Understanding of DFM, GD&T, dimensional tolerances, and automotive engineering specifications.
- Experience supporting tooling development, product validation, and manufacturing troubleshooting.
- Familiarity with automotive APQP and PPAP requirements.
- Strong technical problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and ability to work independently.
- Ability to manage multiple engineering priorities and meet customer deadlines.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience designing or developing plastic optical lenses, light guides, and illuminated automotive components.
- Knowledge of optical-grade plastics, including polycarbonate (PC) and PMMA.
- Experience integrating plastic lenses and light guides with LEDs, PCBAs, and electronic assemblies.
- Experience with automotive interior and exterior decorative components.
- Knowledge of Class-A surfaces, painting, plating, coatings, and decorative finishes.
- Familiarity with Moldflow analysis and injection molding simulation.
- Experience designing checking fixtures, prototype tooling, and assembly stations.
- Knowledge of IATF 16949 automotive quality requirements.
What Success Looks Like
- Plastic component designs meet customer specifications and manufacturing requirements.
- Tooling and injection molding challenges are identified and resolved efficiently.
- Optical and illuminated plastic components are successfully integrated into automotive assemblies.
- Manufacturing and quality teams receive timely, practical engineering support.
- Engineering deliverables support customer deadlines and successful production launches.
We are looking for a technically strong engineer who enjoys hands-on design, practical problem-solving, and taking ownership of engineering work from concept through production.
Pay: $65,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
Related roles
ER Production Supervisor - 2nd or 3rd ShiftEnviCor Rotomolding, LLC · Smithfield, NC
RC Machine Operator/Blender - 2nd Shift/Special ProcessesRTP Company · Winona, MN $52k
- SA Manufacturing Development & Industrialization Specialist; Manufacturing/Production; Mechanical Engineering; On Site Hoosick, NYSaint-Gobain · Hoosick Falls, NY $82k – $127k
- SK Senior Hardware Product Packaging EngineerSkydio · San Mateo, CA $153k – $243k
AC Design EngineerActalent · Crawfordsville, IN $85k – $95k